IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY,  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 
Microfiche 


Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Cana'lian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


m 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 


D 


D 
D 


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Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
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I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

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une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 
D 

n 
n 

D 
D 
D 


Coloured  pages/ 
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Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
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10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


^ 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


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first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
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The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
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Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAn6roslt6  de: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

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plus  grand  soln,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmege. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »-  signifie  "A  SUIVBE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtro 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

VS  J^i 


IffHITI  PASS  &  YUKON 

Seattle,   Washington 


LEGENDS 


0  J 


I  H  S 


YUKON 


ROUTE 


INDIANS 


No.   I. 


HOW  SUIttllR  CAME  TO  THE  YUKON 


Once  upon  a  time,  nany  centuries  ago,  winter  held  the  Yiikon  in  its  grasp  tor 
the  entire  twelve  months  «)f  the  year.  Glaciers  filled  the  hollows,  and  deep  snow 
covered  the  whole  country,  (There  were  no  trees  or  buehes  or  flowers  to  be  seen  at 
any  tima»  nor  were  there  any  lakes  or  rivere  in  the  broad  expanse  of  the  territory. 
It  waa  a  l«ad  of  perpetual  cold. 

One  day  a  band  of  Indians  were  hunting,  when  they  came  upon  a  huge  black  bear. 
Be  waa  the  largest  animal  they  had  ever  seen;  but  what  impressed  them  most  was  that 
he  carried  a  sack  suspended  from  a  collar  about  hie  neck.  The  Indians  had  always 
held  the  bear  in  reverence,  so  instead  of  killing  this  animal  they  talked  with. him. 
One  of  the  braves  asked  what  the  bag  centaiped,  and  the  bear  told  him  it  was  filled 
with  heat;  that  if  this  heat  was  released  from  the  bag,  summer  would  visit  the  Yukon 
for  a  portion  ef  the  year.  Then  the  rivers  would  flow,  the  trees  and  flowers  would 
spring  from  the  ground,  and  there  would  be  fish  and  berries  in  abundance. 

The  hunters  could  think  of  nothing  they  desired  more  than  the  possession  of 
thie  bagt  so  ene  ef  the  braves  asked  the  bear  what  he  would  take  in  trade  for  it. 
The  bear  replied  that  he  would  not  part  with  it  for  any  consideration.  The  Indians 
coaxed,  and  they  beg,;ed,  but  the  bear  was  firm  in  his  refusal.  When  they  saw  that 
it  was  useless  to  argue  any  longer,  they  decided  to  return  to  their  tribe  and  think 
up  some  plan  to  ^et  the  coveted  bag* 

After  hearing  the  story  in  detail,  the  Chief  called  his  braves  together 4  Here 
was  a  prize  worth  having,  and  he  didn't  mean  to  let  it  get  away.  There  was  great 
discuaslen,  and  one  of  the  learned  men  of  the  tribe  suggested  that  as  the  bear  was 
a  very  greedy  animal,  they  migjtit  fill  him  up  with  food,  after  which  he  would  lie 
down  to  sleep,  and  it  would  then  be  a  simple  matter  to  take  the  bag  away  from  him. 
The  Chief  thou^t  this  was  a  vezy  good  plan,  so  he  ordered  the  hunters  to  invite 
the  bear  te  eat  with  them. 

A  great  feast  was  prepared.  The  daintiest  parts  ef  the  caribou  and  moose  were 
cooked  up.  Iven  if  the  bear  were  not  hungry,  he  could  not  resist  gorging  himself 
with  such  tsmpting  food.  ^  .    ,«^ 

In  the  ateontime  the  hxuiters  had  gone  forth  in  search  of  Bruin,  and  when  they 
located  him  they  asked  him  te  attend  the  feast  that  night.  He  readily  accepted  the 
invitation*  and  told  than  that  as  he  was  very  hungry,  he  would  appreciate  a  big 
meal. 

That  evening  the  bear  arrived,  but  to  the  great  disappointment  of  all  the 
tribe,  he  did  not  bring  the  sack  of  heat  with  him.  The  feast  was  served,  however, 
end  after  filling  himself  with  the  warm  food,  the  bear  grew  drowsy  and  fell  asleep. 
Then  the  Chief  called  four  of  the  best  hunters  in  the  village  and  ordered  them  te 
follow  their  guest  heme  and  forcibly  take  the  sack  from  him. 

The  next  morning  the  bear  awakened,  end  after  bidding  his  hosts  farewell,  left 
for  bis  den.  The  four  braves  trailed  him  for  about  an  hour,  when  they  ceme  to  a 
large  cave.  Peering  Inside  they  saw  the  sack  lying  on  the  ground  a  few  feet  from 


■f  f 


the  entrance.  Standing;  guerd  over  it  on  each  side  were  two  Immenee  black  bears. 

However,  the  four  men  had  been  selected  for  their  courage,  and  without 
hesitating,  they  entered  the  cave  and  demanded  the  sack.  The  bears  sprang  at  them. 
Three  of  the  hunters  were  instantly  killed.  The  last  man  was  struck  down,  mortally 
wounded,  but  before  he  expired  he  slashed  the  sack  and  released  the  heat. 

Instemtly  the  air  grew  warm,  the  snow  began  to  melt,  and  the  rivers  and  lakes 
came  Into  being  throughout  the  land.  The  hills  and.  valleys  ware  covered  with  trees 
and  flowers,  berry  bushes  grew  everywhere,  strongs  birds  came  in  great  numbers  to 
build  their  neBts,  and  the  streams  were  filled  with  fish. 

And  every  year  since  that  timoi  Summer  has  come  te  the  Yukon. 


No.  2 


THB  BIG  gLOOD 


i> 


Many  years  ago,  on  a  drowsy  Bunner  afternoon,  a  caribou  waded  out  into  the 
Yukon  River  to  escape  the  horde  of  flies  which  were  tormenting  him.  He  reached  a 
depth  where  his  entire  body  was  submerged  with  the  exception  of  his  head  and  neck. 
The  air  was  warm,  but  the  water  was  cool  and  aoo thing  to  his  heated  body;  and  the 
soft  wind  from  the  south  lulled  him  to  aloep. 

As  he  slept  he  nodded*  and  with  each  succeeding  nod  his  head  lowered  until  his 
nose  reached  the  water,  k  small  grayling  came  swismlng  along  nearby,  and  feeling 
in  a  playful  mood  touched  the  caribou  en  the  nose.  At  this  the  caribou  awakened 
with  a  start,  and  he  was  very  angry.  To  think  that  a  mite  of  a  fish  should  have  the 
audacity  to  disturb  the  Bliuaber  ef  a  mighty  caribou*.  He  would  dole  out  the  proper 
punishment  for  so  grave  an  offense.  Ha  would  place  the  felon  on  the  highest 
mountain  peak  where  there  wasnH  a  drap  of  water.  That  would  show  him  what  happened 
to  anall  fiah  who  moleatad  big  caribou. 

So  he  picked  up  the  grayling  on  hie  antlera  and  waded  ashore.  Locking  around 
he  spied  a  very  high  mountain.  In  fact  it  was  the  highest  mountain  In  the  world. 
That*  he  daeidai,  would  be  the  final  resting  place  of  this  mischievous  fish. 

It  waB  a  long  walk  and  a  hard  climb,  but  revenge  was  uppermost  in  the  caribou's 
mind,  aa  ha  plodded  along  to  th«  foothills  of  the  mountain.  When  he  reached  them  he 
picked  out  the  bast  trail  and  atarted  the  ascent.  He  climbed  and  climbed  until  he 
reached  tha  Tery  tap.  Than  ha  drapped  the  fiah  and  lay  down  to  rest. 

The  grayling,  however,  only  landed,  and  told  his  captor  that  ha  would  have  no 
trouble  in  getting  back  %i  water.  The  caribau  thought  this  was  Just  another  ease 
of  youthful  boasting,  and  paid  no  attention  to  him.  A  fiah  couldn't  walk,  he 
ceuldn't  JuBQ),  and  ha  couldn't  fly,  ao  how  could  he  aver  hope  to  reach  the  river? 

lA  hia  eagarnass  for  revenge  there  was  one  point  which  the  caribou  hadn't  even 
considered.  He  didn't  know  that  this  ^prayling  had  the  powers  of  a  Uedicine  Man,  and 
that  there  was  no  task  which  he  could  not  acccmpliah.  If  he  couldn't  get  to  the 
water,  then  he  would  bring  the  water  to  him. 

As  he  lay  there,  the  fish  made  big  medicine.  He  ordered  the  clouds  to  send 
water,  as  his  fathers  had  done  on  many  occasions  in  the  years  gone  by  when  the 
strenms  were  law.  Instantly  the  heavens  opened  and  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents, 
The  sl:3rm  increased  in  volume  until  the  caribou  could  see  nothing  but  the  small 
jtinaaaH  on  which  he  stood.  Creeks  overflowed  their  bonks,  carrying  trees  and  rocks 


in  their  mad  rush  down  the  hillsides.  The  Yukan  rose  higher  and  higher.  The  stnrm 
showed  no  signs  of  abating.  Now  the  lower  hills  were  submerged,  and  only  the  great 
mountain  was  visible  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  Dswn  pelted  the  rain  with 
increasing  fury. 

Through  the  din  of  the  storm  could  be  heard  the  taunting  voice  of  the  grayling. 
The  caribou  was  terror  stricken.  He  realized  only  too  well  that  his  great  strength 
was  of  no  avail  against  the  powers  of  a  Uedicine  Man.  He  coaxed  and  pleaded,  but 
the  fieh  only  laixghed  at  him. 

The  water  had  new  reached  the  feet  of  the  caribou.  The  fish  was  submerged,  and 
bidding  a  hasty  farewell  to  hia  companieii,  swam  gaily  away.  Overjoyed  at  his 
deXiverapce,  he  forgot  to  stop  the  medicine,  and  the  rain  continued  in  torrents, 
until  finally  the  caribou  was  submerged  and  drowned. 

Swionlng  along  near  the  surface  of  the  water,  the  grayling  noticed  that  the 
clouds  were  etilX  sending  rain  aa  he  had  comnanded  them;  so  he  again  made  medicine 
and  ordered  then  to  eease.  No  sooner  had  he  done  thie  than  the  sky  cleared  and  the 
sun  ahone  brightly. 

But  the  big  flood  i^ich  the  grayling  had  brougjit  forth  to  aave  himself  had 
obliterated  erery  living  sreatux*  on  the  earth. 


No.  3.  TK^  FIBST  UBT&QBJiXS   IN  THJ  YUKON 

(Concerning  The  Origin  of  the  Big  Slide  back  of  Dawaon  City,  Yukon) 


Daring  the  latter  part  of  the  ei^teenth  century  the  Itooeehide  tribe  of  Indians, 
wh«  lived  near  the  mouth  of  the  Tron  Peg  (Klondike)  fiivf",  had  a  princess  of  whom 
they  were  vezy  preud.  Like  Snow  White  in  the  fairy  tale,  ahe  waa  the  most  beautiful 
girl  living.  And  ehe  waa  exceptionally  clever  too.  None  of  the  other  girls  ae 
as  well  versed  aa  ahe  in  the  art  of  tanning  the  mooae  and  caribou  hidea  and  the  furs 
which  were  brought  in«e  ceaqi  by  the  men  of  the  tribe;  and  the  moccaaina  and  clethlng 
faahioned  by  her  deft  fingera  were  patterna  which  even  the  moat  experienced  of  the 
aqoawa  deapaired  of  copying. 

She  waa  the  idol  of  her  people.  -   .. 

The  fame  of  her  beauty  and  accompli ahment a  reached  a  neighboring  tribe  who 
lived  about  a  hundred  milea  to  the  aouth.  The  Chief  of  thie  tribe  heard  about  the 
prineees,  and  it  aet  him  to  thinking.  If  he  could  arrange  a  marriage  between  his 
son  and  thia  royal  lady,  it  would  aerve  a  double  purpoao.  Not  only  would  the  old 
quarrela  over  hunting  and  trapping  grounda  be  settled,  but  It  would  bring  te  his 
son  a  wifa  befitting  his  station  in  the  tribe.  The  old  Chief  pondered  ever  this 
for  many  daysi  and  eventually  decided  te  have  his  son  and  a  few  of  his  braves 
accompany  him  en  a  atate  visit  to  the  Mooeehides. 

It  was  early  in  the  month  of  June  when  they  pushed  their  canoes  Into  the  Yuken 
and  started  downstream  on  their  journey  te  the  mouth  of  the  Tron  Oeg  River. 
Arriving  at  their  destination  they  were  met  by  the  Chief  of  the  Uoosehides.  whe 
escorted  them  te  the  royal  wigwam.  After  a  feast  of  mooue  and  caribou,  the  Chief  of 
the  neighboring  tribe  explained  the  object  of  hia  missicn.  In  glowing  terms  he 
extolled  the  virtuea  of  hia  son.  Never  was  a  young  man  born  who  was  such  a  wonder- 
ful hunter  and  tri^iper.  No  brave  in  the  world  possessed  such  courage.  Wouldn't  it 
be  to  their  mutual  advantage  if  hie  host  gave  to  the  young  suitor  the  hand  of  the 
princess  in  marriage? 


k,  ••  ,').  -JC 


.•Vf. 


The  Mooscthidea  wer*  stunned.  Such  a  thing  as  taking  away  their  princoBB,  the 
idol  of  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  the  village,  was  unthinkable.  Their  Chief  wan 
aeked  by  hia  counaellora  to  forbid  the  match,  or  at  least  to  delay  proceedings  until 
they  had  time  te   think  it  over.  Pcsaibly  something  might  happen  to  prevent  their 
princeie  being  taken  aitay  from  them.  Th«y  heped  so,  anyway. 

The  vial  tors  were  tired  after  their  long  Journey  and,  being  assured  that  on  the 
morrow  they  would  be  told  whether  the  hand  of  the  princeaa  would  be  given  to  the 
young  suiter,  they  lay  down  te  aleap.  By  thia  time  the  newa  had  apread  through  the 
Uoeaehide  onqp  Ilka  wlldfira,  and  the  Chief  was  beaeeehad  by  his  aubjecta  te  ferbid 
tha  wadding,  faving  them  aalde  ha  called  a  council  sf  his  advlsora  in  an  adjoining 
wigwam,  where  th«y  could  discuss  ways  and  ma*ns  of  retaining  tha  princess  and  still 
not  offending  their  visitora. 

It  finally  was  decided  that  a  task  too  difficult  for  any  bravs  to  perform  was 
te  be  given  to  the  young  suitor,  and  if  he  failed,  he  lost  tha  hand  of  the  princess. 
He  would  be  aakad  to  show  his  prowess  as  a  hunter,  in  order  that  he  mi|^t  prove  him~ 
self  worthy  ef  such  a  bride.  He  would  agree  te  start  out  alone  and  return  in  one 
year  with  the  ekina  of  fifty  griisly  beara,  ene  hundred  black  bears,  one  hundred 
moose,  ene  hundred  caribou,  and  one  thouaand  fezes. 

The  Moosehides  were  well  pleaeed  with  the  answer  they  had  prepared.  No  brave 
could  take  that  amount  of  game  in  a  year.  They  could  sleep  now  without  any  fear 
that  their  princess  would  be  taken  from  them. 

But  t  ^^.v  reckoned  without  their  suitor.  Long  before  his  father  was  awake,  the 
young  man  %.  a   walking  about  the  village  when  he  spied  tha  princess  in  front  ef  her 
wigwam.  Following  tribal  custom,  nn  werde  were  exchanged;  but  one  glance  assured 
him  that  the  fame  of  her  beauty  wasn't  exaggerated.  In  fact  it  hadn't  been  half 
told.  Then  and  there  he  decided  that  no  ebetacle  should  prevent  his  gaining  the 
consent  of  her  father  to  their  marriage. 

During  the  meming  another  feast  was  prepared  far  the  visitors,  After  par- 
taking of  it,  the  Chief  of  the  Moosehides  gave  his  answer.  Disappointment  was 
plainly  evident  en  the  faces  ef  all  the  guests  excepting  the  young  suitor,  who 
showed  no  surprise  at  all.  With  the  impetuosity  of  youth  he  whispered  ts  his  father 
to  bind  the  bargain.  Oame  was  plentiful,  and  he  could  easily  take  the  required 
number  ef  skins  in  a  year.  After  some  discussion  the  father  gave  his  consent,  and 
the  visitors  left  en  their  long  voyage  upriver. 

In  five  sleeps  time  they  reached  their  village,  and  without  delay  the  young  man 
quietly  made  preparations  for  hia  trip.  On  the  fellewlng  morning  long  before  any  of 
his  people  were  stirring,  he  set  out  alone. 

Months  went  hy,  and  the  Chief  could  get  no  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  ef 
his  son.  Neighboring  tribes  had  not  seen  him.  The  father  despaired  of  finding  his 
boy  alive^  when  during  the  following  month  of  May  there  was  great  eulo  in  the  village, 
A  raft  was  seen  floating  down  the  river,  piled  hi(^  with  skins  and  maimed  by  a 
solitary  hunter*  The  exciteuent  grew  when  the  raft  was  skillfully  poled  into  the 
eddy  and  the  hunter  proved  to  be  the  Chief's  son.  The  raft  was  quickly  unleaded, 
and  the  skins  counted.  The  old  Chief  was  greatly  pleased  when  he  saw  that  the  young 
man  had  bagged  the  required  number.  There  shovild  be  no  further  delay  to  the  weddinc. 

It  was  arranged  that  only  a  few  braves  were  to  accompany  the  suitor  on  his 
visit  te  the  Moosehides,  and  as  the  allotted  year  would  e«.in  be  up,  they  started 
down  river  at  once.  When  they  arrived  at  the  mou'wh  of  the  Tron  Deg,  disappointment 


vas  vory  evident  among  the  MooBehides.  The  suitor  had  brought  the  ekin«,  and  the 
only  thing  they  could  do  waa  t«  part  with  the  princese. 

They  had  no  intention  ef  giving  her  up  however,  if  there  waa  any  nay  to  prevent 
it.  ITiist  they  would  have  a  feast  and  a  sleep;  then  they  would  discuss  the  marriage, 

While  the  visitors  were  sleeping,  the  Chief  of  the  Moesehides  called  his  braves 
in  council.  He  also  sumnoned  hie  Medicine  Man,  and  asked  him  tc  find  a  way  out  ef 
their  difficulty.  The  Medicine  Man  promised  a  solution  if  they  would  obey  his 
instructions.  They  were  to  prepare  a  feast  and  have  «  big  dance  on  the  fellJwing 
a^ght.  During  the  da&ee  the  braves  were  tc  separate.  The  visitors  were  te  line  up 
&giJnst  the  hill,  and  the  Uoosehldes  opposite  then.  The  Medicine  Man  then  would 
worlc  his  chATB,  and  they  would  see  what  would  happen. 

The  directions  war*  carried  out.  The  fa*st  waa  prspared,  and  after  all  the 
food  was  aaten,  tha  dance  oomenoed.  Teward  the  early  part  of  the  morning,  the 
hraTsa  separated.  The  rialtors  were  In  line  at  the  Tery  base  of  the  hill,  when  th» 
Hedioina  Man  mad*  atrong  medicina.  Instantly  thars  was  a  loud  grumbling  heard  in 
tha  hillside,  the  earth  began  moring,  and  before  tha  startled  Tisitors  otuld  escape, 
ths/  ware  borisd  in  the  slide. 

This  was  tha  oocaslon  for  great  rajoioinc.  Tha  princess  remained  with  her 
peeple  until  tha  end  of  her  days. 

Tha  eld  sqaaws  still  caution  the  youngsters  net  to  rsnture  too  near  the  slide 
after  daxic.  On  moonlight  nights,  to  the  aocompaniuient  9f  loud  wails,  the  ghosts 
•f  the  buried  braves  can  be  seen  treading  he  stapa  ef  the  ancient  dance  en  thab 
fateful  ninht;  and  while  the  youngsters  scoff  at  this  and  contend  that  the  howls 
snanate  frem  a  pack  of  malasutea  in  a  voice-testing  chorus,  the  old  squaws,  with 
many  a  wise  nod,  aay  they  know  better. 


No.  U.      AN  INDIAN  MABRIAai  IK  THI  EiHLY  DAYS  OF  THB  YOTON  TgHRITOH 

Courtship  and  marriage  in  the  early  days  of  the  Yukon  Territory  were  very 
different  institutione  from  the  present  iaeas  of  the  yeung  braves  and  squaws  who  de 
nest  of  their  courting  in  the  moving  picture  shows,  and  demand  the  services  of  a 
clergyman  at  their  wedding.  Frem  the  standpoint  of  legality,  the  Canadian  Gevern- 
ment  has  alwaye  recegnised  the  Indian  marriage  as  perfectly  binding.  However,  it 
is  a  questlssn  whether  married  life  was  any  happier  before  the  advent  of  the  whiteman 
or  not. 

When  the  young  brave  of  the  early  days  saw  the  girl  of  his  choice,  he  didn't 
go  to  call  upon  her.  He  didn't  even  epeak  to  her.  For  the  peace  of  mind  of  his 
neighbors  it  would  have  been  better  if  he  had.  But,  perched  on  a  log  or  a  stump 
outside  her  wigwan,  he  would  sign  a  doleful  love  song  hour  after  hour.  To  the  un- 
accustomed ear  the  tune  wounded  like  a  croas  between  the  wail  sf  a  husky  and  an 
asthmatic  wheese.  There  was  only  one  verse,  a  literal  translation  being: 

I  am  pitiful, 

You  come  to  me. 

If  you  de  come  to  me. 

It  will  be  very  good. 

After  hours  of  this,  if  he  was  not  shot  at  in  the  meantime,  he  left  far  his  own 
wigwam.  If  the  girl  accepted  his  suit,  she  placed  a  pair  of  finely-worked  moccasinu 


•  »  ■  ».  -  ^  w » 


V^  T^TJ' 


?x. 


-i-"  ,  ?i:«' 


on  the  Btump  or  log  where  he  h&d  been  crooning.  When  he  spied,  them,  he  woixld  pick 
them  up  and  take  them  to  his  wigwam.  That  signified  their  engagement,  provided 
there  were  no  parental  objections.  The  parents  not  only  had  the  final  say  in  the 
matter,  but  they  made  all  arraxigements  for  the  wedding. 

Iven  after  the  engagement  was  sealed,  the  young  brave  did  not  speak  to  his 
fiance,  nor  did  she  over  address  him.  Whenever  they  met,  she  would  cover  her  face 
with  her  hands  er  with  a  piece  $t  moosehide,  i 

When  the  parents  had  set  the  date  fer  the  marriage,  they  moved  their  wigwams 
side  by  side.  Preparations  were  made  fer  a  feast  of  caribou  and  tea.  At  weddings 
after  the  coming  of  the  first  white  men  tobacco  also  was  served,  a«  smoking  was 
indulged  in  by  young  and  old. 

Aa  the  hour  approached  for  the  0«reiDOoy,  the  brldagroem  and  hia  parents  entered 
one  of  the  wlg»ams«  and  aat  down  at  one  aide  of  the  fire  which  waa  built  in  the 
eantar.  The  brida  and  har  parenta  than  entered,  followed  by  all  her  relatives,  and 
they  sat  on  the  eppoaita  aide.  Heat  waa  eaten,  not  a  ward  being  apoken.  Afterwards 
tea  waa  given  to  each  one  praaant.  Than  pipaa  ware  ligjbted,  and  everybody  smoked  in 
alienee* 

In  doe  time  the  father  ef  the  grooia  aroae  and  gave  a  long  talk,  extolling  the 
virtuea  of  hia  boy«  Aa  a  hunter  and  trapper,  he  could  not  be  excelled.  He  was  as 
handaome  aa  Adonia  and  he  had  the  grace  of  Apollo,  Hia  bravery  waa  unqueaticned. 
Surely  the  bride  waa  fortunute  to  have  aecured  rich  a  husband. 

When  he  had  finiahed,  the  bride* a  father  arase  and  gave  a  glowing  account  of 
hia  dau^tar.  He  girl  in  all  the  world  waa  half  aa  beautiftd.  In  the  art  of 
tanning  hidaa,  she  had  no  av^rior;  and  in  faahioning  garments  she  waa  without  doubt 
the  laat  word.  The  greom  had  made  no  miatake  in  ehooaing  har. 

UeanvAiile  the  bride  had  been  sitting  with  her  hair  plaited  in  braids  and  thrown 
over  her  face*  After  the  ayoeehee  were  finished,  the  greom  reached  forward  and 
graaping  the  breida,  haolad  her  aeroaa  tho  tire  to  hia  aide.  If  during  the  prelim- 
inariea,  however,  aha  auddenly  changed  her  mind  about  marrying  him,  a  struggle 
ensued,  durinf;  which  her  parenta  beat  hia  handa  with  sticks,  and  the  match  waa  off. 
If  aha  raiaed  no  objectiona,  ahe  allowed  herself  to  be  hauled  aeroaa  the  fire,  and 
aha  aat  down  beside  the  groom.  His  parents  then  threw  a  blanket  over  the  couple. 

Thla  eQBq>leted  the  marriage  ceremony. 


* , 


Fora  P-67   (IO-3U  100) 


